Clasp for ribbon-bolts.



Patented Dec. 9, 1913.

[N VEN TOR A llorney FFIE.

BERNATH ROSENFELD, OF TUCSON, ARIZONA.

CLASP FOR RIBBON-BOLTS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BERNATH RosnNrELD, of Tucson, in the county of Pimaand State of Arizona, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Clasps for Ribbon- Bolts; and I do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

This invention relates to improvements in holders or clasps for use onbolts of ribbon, the object being to provide a simple device which canbe readily and quickly applied to a bolt of ribbon without releasing thefree end of latter, for holding the free end of the ribbon in place andat the same time permitting the ribbon and the separating paper to bereadily unwound.

A further object is to provide a device of the character specified, withimproved means for locking the free ends of the two members against thepossibility of accidental separation.

With these objects in view my invention consists in the details ofconstruction as will be more fully explained and pointed out in theclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective showingthe application of my improvement to a bolt of ribbon. Fig. 2 is a viewin side elevation of the clasp in its closed and locked position. Fig. 3is an enlarged end view showing the lower member locked. Fig. 4 is asimilar view showing the lower member unlocked. Fig. 5 is a similar viewshowing the free end of the lower member being guided into the keeperformed in the bent end of the upper member, and Fig. 6 is a view of amodified form.

The clamp 1 is made from a narrow strip of spring metal, bent centrallyupon itself to form two superimposed parallel members 2 and 3, the freeends of which are normally held in contact by the abrupt bend and by theelasticity of the metal. The free end of the upper member is bentdownwardly as at 4, and the lower edge 5 of the downwardly bent end isbeveled upwardly from one side and is provided immediately adjacent thebody of the upper member with a slot 6 partly closed by the shoulder 7at the open end of the slot. This bent end 4, therefore constitutes thekeeper for the free end of the lower member 3.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 26, 1913.

Patented Dec. 9,1913. Serial No. 775,987.

The lower member 3 is provided at its free end with a tongue 8, which isso located with relation to the keeper 4 on the upper member, as to bearagainst the in clined face 5 of said keeper and also enter the slot 6therein, without projecting appreciably beyond said keeper. By this construction, the free end of the lower member is in effect, protected andhoused so as to prevent injurious contact of same with other goods whichmay be in contact with the ribbon bolt.

In constructing the clasp the lower member is bent laterally and putunder a tension which carries its free end to the side of the keeperfarthest removed from the '117811 slot 6, so that in moving the tongue 8up the incline and toward the slot, the tension or torsion of the lowermember will be increased, so that as soon as the open slot is reachedthe tongue will fly into the same and be retained therein againstaccidental displacement.

When the lower member 3 has been passed below several thicknesses ofribbon and separating strip of paper, the ribbon and paper operate toseparate the members and force the tongue down into the plane of theshoulder 7 and thus prevent a separation of the parts, even should thefriction of the ribbon against the members of the clamp, in unwindingthe ribbon from the bolt, be sufiicient to overcome the spring action ortorsion, which tends to hold the tongue 8 away from the open end of slot6, in the keeper.

For wide bolts, or those over three inches in width, I prefer to providethe clasp with finger pieces 9, which are conveniently formed by bendingthe upper member into inverted U-shaped projections or folds, preferablylocated equidistant from the ends of the clasp, and sufficiently closetogether to be grasped by a finger and thumb of one hand.

In applying the clasp to a bolt of ribbon, the lower member 3 is passedbetween the convolutions of the ribbon and separating strip of paper,near the periphery of the bolt, so that several layers of ribbon andpaper will be between the members 2 and 3 of the clasp. The applicationof the clasp to the roll or bolt is facilitated by grasping the fingerholds and pressing them toward each other. This bows the upper memberand causes the free end of the lower member to project below the keeper4, so as to be readily entered between the convolutions of the ribbon.After the lower member of the clasp has passed through the roll, bysimply grasping the free end of the clasp between the finger and thumb,and forcing the lower member laterally into the plane of the uppermember, the tongue rides against the inclined edge 5 of the keeper tuntil the slot 6 is reached, and is then drawn into the slot by thetorsion of the spring.

The construction shown in Fig. 6 is identical with that shown in Figs. 1to 5 inclusive, except that it is not provided with the finger holds.This form is intended principally for clasps for narrow ribbon bolts.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Lettors-Patent, is:

' 1. A ribbon clasp or holder consisting of a fiat metal strip bent uponitself to form two parallel members the upper one of which is providedwith a right angle bend adjacent its free end the said bent end having aslot open at one side and the free edge of said bent end being inclineddownwardly from said slot, the lower member provided at its free endwith a tongue adapted to rest withshaped folds forming finger holds,

in the slot, said lower member normally projecting to one side of theupper member so that a pressure is required to force the tongue on thelower member into the slot in the bent end of the upper member.

2. A ribbon clasp or holder consisting of a fiat metal strip bent uponitself to form two parallel members, the upper one of which is providedwith two inverted U- and also provided with a bent end the latter havingan inclined lower face and an open slot at the upper end of the incline,and the lower member provided at its free end with a tongue adapted torest within said slot, the lower member normally projecting to one sideof the upper member so that a pressure is required to force the tongueon the lower member into the slot in the bent end of the upper member.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification in the presenceof two subscribing witnesses.

WVALTER E. LovEJoY, KARL B. RoLLINs.

Copies of this patent may 'be obtained for five cents each, by

addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

